EXCLUSIVE: Letter to Auburn fans, teammates from Montravius Adams

Editor’s note: From Dooly County to Auburn, Montravius Adams left fans with lasting images during his final season as a Tiger. With every sack and recovered fumble the tackle helped lead a defensive turnaround on the Plains and increased his NFL Draft stock. After earning his degree in interdisciplinary studies, Adams is preparing to turn his childhood dream into a pro career. He shared some of the memories he’ll forever cherish with SEC Country.

Dear Auburn family,

I’ve been thinking a lot about my brothers — my teammates — since the Sugar Bowl. I’ve been training in Orange County, California, and sometimes it hits me: I miss them. They’re out there training too so you just want to call and check on everybody.

I didn’t get too emotional about my last days at Auburn. I knew my time was coming to an end. The only thing for me was knowing I wasn’t going to be with my brothers that I’d been there with for four years. Just getting to be with those guys — I bonded with them. We were close. Knowing I wasn’t going to be with them again was tough. I took my last time out there, put on an Auburn helmet and jersey with them — that was really the only hard part for me.

Before my freshman year, there isn’t one memory that stands out in my mind as the moment I decided to be an Auburn Tiger. It was just me making my decision on my last official. I felt like I really wanted to be in the SEC and Auburn was the best place for me. My momma loved Auburn. She loved the coaching staff and trusted in them to make me a better person and player. For me it was a good place to get my degree. I loved the coaching staff as well. I thought Auburn was a good fit for me and it was very family based.

At that point I didn’t know the game as well as I do now. Every day I learned something I didn’t know that made me better. I was just trying to come in as a freshman and live up to that dream, trying to be the best you can be, taking in the coaching and trying to do all the little things you can while you’re there.

It didn’t take long for me to feel like I belonged in the SEC. On the initial play of my first-ever college game I found myself on the field. I didn’t want to let the team down so my only focus was pushing down Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday. I just did what Coach Garner told me to do, but I’ll never forget that play.

I appreciate everyone a lot, from family to the coaches — everybody. I really appreciate all the walk-ons who were there for my four years. They had one of the hardest jobs ever, just knowing sometimes that you’re not going to be able to play, but you’re still going to have to come to practice, go through workouts, do everything else and be on time. That’s a big responsibility. Guys, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Montravius Adams was a fan favorite during his time at Auburn. (Contributed photo; Edit: Kelli Cooke/SEC Country)

There’s so much that I’ll always remember and miss. Tiger Walk is at the top of the list. The feeling you get when you go through Tiger Walk — it’s not really a feeling you can explain.

I adore my fans. At the end of the day we’re playing this game but it wouldn’t be the same way if we didn’t have the fans. It’s crazy. Just knowing that that many people are out there just to watch you play a game that you love, a game you grew up playing and loving as a kid. Knowing that many people around you are supporting you and what you’re doing and all the hard work that you did.

That being said, I feel like Auburn fans are the greatest in the world. They are there for us through the ups and downs and when I’m gone, they’ll keep cheering on the Auburn Tigers.

Next year they won’t have a lot of, I guess you can say, old guys, seniors on the defensive side. But I think they have enough experience and leadership on the defensive side to still build a legacy and keep going down the right path. They’re great listeners and with that, they’re going to be that much better. If you’re not a great listener, I don’t think you can be a great player.